Cause of death of actress Daveigh Chase, voice of Lilo in ‘Lilo & Stitch’, confirmed as AIDS at age 35
The Los Angeles coroner’s office has released the cause of death for Daveigh Chase, an actress known for voicing Lilo in the film “Lilo & Stitch” and for her role in “The Ring.” Chase passed away on June 16 in the Californian city, at the age of 35.
The artist, who was also identified as Daveigh Schwallier, had Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as the main cause of death, according to the coroner’s report. A secondary cause cited was “chronic use of multiple substances.” Chase’s father, John David Schwallier, told the New York Times that his daughter had been struggling with homelessness and drug addiction since she was 13, and that he hadn’t seen her in many years.
Personal challenges marked the actress’s life
Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, had initially told TMZ that she had contracted meningitis and sepsis, a serious reaction to an infection. Before his death, Hernandez had posted on a GoFundMe, where he revealed that “after a difficult childhood and a painful break with his family, Daveigh was the victim of bullying and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown Los Angeles.” He added, “When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope.”
After stepping away from acting around 2016, Daveigh Chase faced several legal problems, including charges for being in a stolen car and possession of a controlled substance.
Highlights of an early film and TV career
The actress gained international recognition with her work as the voice actress for Lilo in “Lilo & Stitch”. She continued to lend her voice to the character in other productions, such as “Stitch! The Movie” (2003), “Leroy & Stitch” (2006) and the Disney Channel animated series, “Lilo & Stitch: The Series”. On television, she stood out in the HBO series “Big Love”, where she played Rhonda Volmer, a teenager who became the child bride of fundamentalist leader Roman Grant.
Daveigh Chase also made her mark in cinema with the role of the frightening Samara Morgan in the horror hit “The Ring”. Additionally, she played Samantha Darko, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal’s main character in “Donnie Darko,” and reappeared in the direct-to-video sequel, “S. Darko,” released in 2009.
